IT was a massive payday for Ciaron Maher Racing when Warnie’s last stride win delivered for them The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday.
Making the win even sweeter was that they also owned Warnie’s slot in The Supernova, meaning the first prize of $450,000 remained solely in their stable.
Southside Racing only introduced their two $1 million slot races last year, with the other, The Meteorite, being run at Cranbourne.
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Maher has won two of the four races held, as they won the 2024 The Meteorite with Nadal as well.
The victory gave Maher his fourth winner for the day, having already won with Milsons Point, Jenni Gone Bonkers and Shockletz in the first three races.
Private Eye’s trainer Joe Pride was disappointed after the race. He told Private Eye’s jockey Craig Williams that he felt he wasn’t at his best, but he still ran second.
Warnie’s victory gave promising jockey Tom Stockdale his biggest payday in the saddle.
Stockdale said he studied Mark Zahra’s winning ride on Warnie in the Damien Oliver at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day and he wanted to emulate that winning ride.
Stockdale rode a patient race and bided his time, having the son of Highland Reel in second last placing on turning for home.
“I went back through his replays and just loved how Mark rode him,” Stockdale said.
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“Every time Mark sat on his back, he was in a nice flowing rhythm, he was relaxed, conserving energy and he showed an electric turn of foot off it.
” I tried to channel my inner Zahra perch, nice hands, get him to relax, and he let rip in the end.”
